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Flabagast -> RE: February 24th Design Notes: Book 3: Reimagined - The Gala (2/25/2023 9:29:10)
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Ahh I already have such nostalgic feelings about this one. There's just so much to it. Still one of the best stand-alone quests in the game imo. And I think you did it fine justice in this Reimagining, Verly!
spoiler:
Firstly, I really like how Kara's dialogue has greater emphasis on the mutually beneficial relationship between the Rose and the nobles of Swordhaven, with resources and esteem going both ways, and how her advice to the Hero on how to show them the truth. It fits rather snugly with Dove's original dialogue with the nobles later on during the Gala, which I'm glad to see hasn't changed. I also thought the addition of the line "This... will be as treacherous an environment as any battlefield" was zingy too. It makes sense that Kara would know all about this, considering her past as the Wind Elf ambassador of Swordhaven while the Rose was gaining power.
I very much like how Victoria's dialogue has changed as well. The fact that the Hero already knows about her being Cinquefoil let's her get right to the point about how she's playing both her roles as a princess of Swordhaven and a captain of the Rose. And she and the Hero get to smile about their well-kept secret while planning to work together on winning Alteon over. I like it a lot. I also noticed that the change of wording around Tara's activities has changed too. I might be reading into it too much, but the change from "entrepreneur" to "explorer" seems to imply less of a political role in her travels to the East. It probably doesn't bear much weight in the story anyway, but it does make me curious nonetheless.
And (not so) finally, Jaania's monologue featuring the conflict with the Elves is better for consistency's sake, but I think it also adds a lot more weight to her actions and her perspective. We know all about the Elemental Dissonance and the Hero played a major role in resolving that, but Yala's invasion of Greenguard and the following campaign led by Jaania against her are events that were completely beyond the Hero's knowledge and power while they were on ice. It lends a little more legitimacy to her self-proclaimed title of hero.
Overall just some really thoughtful, snappy writing.
I do have one queery though. I noticed Victoria doesn't mention the possibility of the royal family having a fourth child now. She talks about Brittany's illness rather than supposedly alluding to a little sister after she mentions Lynaria's death. I remember when the Gala was first released nearly six years ago (holy moly) and we forumites went absolutely ham discussing the exciting possibility that Gravelynn could be the fourth princess of Swordhaven, with her biological father being Alteon, and that the incident that caused Lynaria's death may have also resulted in Gravelynn disappearing and ending up in Sepulchure's care. With Gravelynn's presence in the quest and that little throw-away line, it all made too much sense. Now with that line expunged, I fear that such a dumbfounding theory may be under threat.
Just to be clear, this isn't criticism nor is it a complaint about the rewrite; it's not like it was ever confirmed canon anyway. It's just a thought I had to get out there for the sake of my lore-rotted brain.
If I were to point out an issue: the Hero's speech bubble covers their face a bit at certain points during the scene with Kara.
Regardless, an absolute banger of a Reimagined.
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